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Man’s Ribbed Socks with French Heel and Flat Toe

Men's socks from the 1940's

These socks are sock “B” in the photograph.
from Patons Knitting Book No. 248

Materials

Patons Beehive Fingering, 4-ply. Quantity – 4 oz/112gm

1 set of four Old UK No. 13/US 1/Metric 2.25mm double pointed needles

Measurement

Foot length of 10, 10½ or 11 ins.

Tension

It is absolutely necessary to work at a tension to produce 10 stitches to the inch in width (measured over rib).

Pattern

Cast on 84 stitches. (needle 1: 28 sts, needle 2: 28 sts, needle 3: 28 sts)

1st round: * K1, P1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat this round until work measures 4 ins.

Next round: * K5, P2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat this round until work measures 8 ins. from commencement. (Length of leg may be varied here to suit individual requirements)

Shape leg as follows:
Next round: K1, K2tog, K2, P2, * K5, P2, repeat from * to last 7 sts, K2, K2tog, K1, P2.

Work 5 rounds with shaping.

Decrease once in same manner in second column of knit rib and in second column of knit rib from end of round.

Work 5 rounds without shaping.

Decrease in third column of knit rib and in third column of knit rib from end of round.

Work 3 more decreasings in this manner, working 5 rounds without shaping after each round of shaping. (72 sts)

Continue working in rib of K4, P2, until work measures 12 ins. from commencement.

To commence heel:
K16, slip last 18 sts of round on to end of same needle. (These 34 sts are for heel)

Divide remaining sts onto two needles and leave for instep.

Work 31 rows on heel sts. in alternate rows of purl and knit (always slipping first st purl ways on a purl row and knitways on a knit row).

To turn heel:
K19, K2tog, K1, turn (always slipping first st. after turning),
P6, P2tog, P1, turn,
K7 , K2tog, K1, turn,
P8, P2tog, P1, turn,
K9, K2tog, K1, turn.

Continue in this manner until all sts. are worked on to one needle (20 sts).
Knit back 10 sts. (thus completing heel).

Slip all instep sts onto one needle again, using another needle, knit remaining 10 heel sts, knit up 14 sts at side of heel.
With a second needle work in rib across instep sts.
With a third needle, knit up 14 sts at side of heel and remaining 10 heel sts.

Shape instep as follows:
1st round: Knit first and third needles, work in pattern on second needle.

2nd round: First needle, knit to last 4 sts, K2tog, K2;
second needle, work in pattern;
third needle, K2, slip 1, K1, psso, knit to end of round.

Repeat these two rounds until 76 sts. remain.

Continue without shaping until foot measures:
6 ins. for 10 inch foot,
6½ ins. for 10½ inch foot,
7 ins. for 11 inch foot, (from where sts were knitted up at side of heel).

Shape toe as follows:
1st round: knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1;

second needle – K1, slip 1, K1, psso, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1;
third needle – K1, slip 1, K1, psso, knit to end of needle.

2nd round: knit.

Repeat 1st and 2nd rounds until 24 sts. remain.

Graft the toe stitches together.

Work another Sock in same manner.

Finishing

With a slightly damp cloth and warm iron, press lightly.


The original publication of this pattern is in the public domain, however this updated digital version is Copyright Sarah Bradberry, August 29th 2014. All rights reserved.